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After College: “Late” and “Missed” are 4-Letter Words for Your Student Loans

If you graduated from college last spring after borrowing federal student loans, your loan servicer has already let you know the first of your monthly payment due dates. Chances are that date is this month.

This date is important. Pay on or before it and you’ll build a positive credit rating. Pay after it’s passed, or make no payment, and you’re immediately a delinquent borrower. Then your loan servicer may report your delinquency to the major credit bureaus right away (they must report it you when you’re 90 days delinquent). You’ll have an adverse credit history that’ll result in higher interest rates if you’re even able to borrow for a car or house; may stop you from renting an apartment or signing up for a cell phone or utilities; and could even stop you from getting a job.

Fail to make any payment within 30 days of its due date and you’ll also pay a late fee equalling 6% of what you owe. Miss nine monthly payments in a row and you’re in default — at which point a government-hired collection agency will require you to repay your whole debt immediately. The government may also confiscate up to 15% of your salary and wages, your tax returns, and any money it owes you. It can also get permission from a judge to take real estate and other property you own. Finally, you’ll never be able to borrow another federal student loan while in default.

Fortunately, it’s easy to make your federal student loan payments on time. Enroll in an automatic debit plan and your payment will be deducted from your bank account on the same date every month. You’ll also reduce your interest rate by 0.25%.

If your monthly due date doesn’t work for you, contact your loan servicer and ask to change it. Do the same if you need to change your repayment plan to lower your required monthly month amount.

Need to postpone your payments for a while? You can do this without becoming delinquent. Contact your loan servicer and ask for a deferment or forbearance.

So don’t ever let yourself run late on your monthly payments or, worse yet, miss them altogether. Both produce nasty results, and they’re way too easy to avoid!

College Affordability Solutions has extensive experience with the ins and outs of student loan repayment. Call (512) 366-5354 or email collegeafford@gmail.com if you need confidential advice on managing your college debt.